Today, the Department of Health issued a final order that began implementation of the prescription drug monitoring program. Stopping pill mills has been my top priority since I took office, and this program is an important tool in combating this crisis.

My top legislative priority right now is providing law enforcement and health regulators with the tools they need to shut down pill mills. Prescription drug abuse claims the lives of seven Floridians per day. Startling statistics show that among young people, ages 12-17, diverted prescription drugs have become the second most abused illegal drug with marijuana being first.

The doctors who knowingly prescribe drugs for illegal use or sale are nothing more than drug dealers in white coats. With enhanced civil, criminal, legislative, and preventative solutions, we can stop these pill mills. I have seen great concepts from both the House and Senate and I am optimistic that we will come up with a solution to protect Floridians.

Another top legislative priority of mine is separating the restoration of civil rights from the evaluation of applications for an occupational license. This reform is an important complement to the Clemency Board's recent decision to require an application and a reasonable waiting period before a felon's rights are restored.

I believe that the sooner convicted criminals meet the terms of their sentences and reintegrate into society, the less likely they are to reoffend. We can better protect Floridians and help ex-felons reintegrate into society by ensuring that occupational licenses are issued by the appropriate licensing authority based on a thorough and individualized vetting process.

Our Legislature has shown great leadership on this issue. Senator Chris Smith sponsored a decoupling bill that the Senate passed, and just this week, the House of Representatives Bill 449, sponsored by Representative Dwayne Taylor, passed the House Judiciary Committee unanimously. I hope that the Legislature continues to show such tremendous support on this issue.

Attorney General Pam Bondi announced this week that a Jefferson County resident is in custody after allegedly defrauding the state of Florida out of more than $93,000. At the conclusion of the Florida Attorney General's Office’s ten-month investigation, the Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office arrested Peggy Johnson-Watkins, 50, of Monticello.

The Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit began investigating Johnson-Watkins after receiving information from the state of Georgia that she allegedly billed the Florida Medicaid program for residents in her Georgia-licensed facility. It is alleged that Johnson-Watkins defrauded the Florida Medicaid program out of more than $83,000. Other allegations include: administering medications via injection without the appropriate license; failing to reside in her Florida adult family care home as required by state law; and enrolling Georgia residents in a Florida public assistance program, which cost the state more than $10,000. Click here to read the full release.

Events

Miami-Dade Days
This week was Miami-Dade Days at the Florida Capitol. To celebrate, Attorney General Bondi served along with the Lt. Governor Jennifer Carroll and Commissioner Adam Putnam at the annual paella lunch served in the Capitol courtyard.

Youth Advisory Committee of The Children's Trust

This week was Children’s Week at the Capitol. Attorney General Bondi met with the Youth Advisory Committee of the Children's Trust and discussed children's advocacy issues as well as many of her top issues such as stopping pill mills and the dangers of prescription drug abuse.